| Pasiphila cotinaea | |
|---|---|
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Pasiphila |
| Species: | P. cotinaea |
| Binomial name | |
| Pasiphila cotinaea | |
| Synonyms [3] | |
| |
Pasiphila cotinaea is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Its larvae feed off Olearia species and the adult moth can be seen on the wing from November to April. This species is regarded as rare.
This species was first described in 1913 by Edward Meyrick and named Chloroclystis cotinaea. [4] Meyrick collected the type specimen in March 1883 in Masterton. [4] This specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [3] George Hudson discussed this species in 1928 in his book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand stating that no other examples of this moth had yet been found. [5] In 1931 Meyrick, thinking he was describing a new species, again described and naming it Chloroclystis tornospila. [3] Meyrick used a specimen collected by George Hudson in the Tongariro National Park which is also held at the Natural History Museum, London. [3] [6] In 1939 Hudson illustrated this moth in A Supplement to the Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. [7] Hudson also illustrated what he believed to be the female of the species in 1950. [8] In 1971 John S. Dugdale placed C. cotinaea within the genus Pasiphila. [9] C. tornospila was synonymised with P. cotinaea in 1988 by Dugdale. [3]
Meyrick described this species as follows:
♂. 23 mm. Palpi 2+1⁄2. Antennal ciliations 3+1⁄2. Abdomen with dark-fuscous subbasal band. Forewings triangular, termen bowed, oblique, sinuate just above tornus; light pinkish-fuscous, striated with fuscous, towards costa and termen suffused with pale dull green, veins pale-greenish marked with dark fuscous; median band hardly defined; a narrow dark-fuscous spot preceding subterminal stria above tornus: cilia fuscous, base spotted with dark fuscous. Hindwings moderate, termen rather unevenly rounded, sinuate above tornus; light grey, towards dorsum tinged with pale-greenish and striated with dark-fuscous irroration; a dark-grey roundish discal dot: cilia whitish-grey. [4]
The larvae of this species are green, red and white lined. [10]
P. cotinaea is endemic to New Zealand. [2] [11] It is known from the middle of the North Island down as far south as Southland and is abundant in the eastern part of the South Island. [10] However they have not been found in eastern Otago. [10] This species is regarded as being rare. [12]
Adults are on wing from November to April and are most common in April. [10] There may be two generations per year. [10] Hudson mentions that he collected a specimen that was attracted to light. [8]
The preferred habitat of this lowland species are forested valleys and associated shrublands. [13] The larvae feed on the flowers of various small-leaved Olearia species including O. odorata , O. bullata , O. laxiflora , O. fimbriata , O. hectorii and O. virgata . [10] [14]
Cephalissa is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae. Its only species, Cephalissa siria, the orange triangle moth, is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as nationally vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. It has suffered a contraction of its range, no longer being seen in Dunedin or Invercargill. It is currently found in the Mt Watkin Scenic Reserve, in eastern Otago, in the Rongahere Gorge and in the Dansey Ecological District. C. siria is known to inhabit kahikatea forest amongst Carex species as well as short tussock grasslands and shrubland. The larval host plant is Fuchsia perscandens. Adult moths are on the wing in October and November.
Bascantis is a genus of moths belonging to the family Tineidae. It contains only one species, Bascantis sirenica, that is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
Asterivora iochondra is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911. This species has been observed in both the North and South Island at Mount Holdsworth and Mount Arthur. This species inhabits open spaces on mountains on the forest edge at 3000 ft altitude. Adults of this species are on the wing in February and flies rapidly in sunshine.
Izatha balanophora is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is widespread in the North Island. Larvae live off the dead bark of kānuka. The adult moths are on the wing during December to March.
Heterocrossa gonosemana is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Heterocrossa iophaea is a species of moth in the family Carposinidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Isonomeutis restincta, the marbled snouter, is a species of moth in the family Copromorphidae. It is endemic to New Zealand where it is likely found in the northern parts of the North Island. Not much is known of the life history of this species but it has been hypothesised that it is a scale insect predator. The adults of this species are on the wing from November to January. This species has been classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Pasiphila acompsa is a moth in the family Geometridae. It was described by Louis Beethoven Prout in 1927. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in mountainous locations in both the North and South Islands. Larvae of this species have been reared on plants within the Veronica genus. Adults are on the wing from December to February.
Pasiphila aristias is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1897 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found in both the North and South Islands and inhabits subalpine and native forest. Adults are on the wing in December and January and are attracted to light.
Pasiphila plinthina is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North, South and Stewart Islands. It is on the wing mainly from June until September with occasional observations up to December, and is attracted to light. This species is similar in appearance to P. sandycias but can be distinguished from it as P. plinthina has palpi that are longer and has more blurred forewing markings.
Trigonistis anticlina is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Adults of this species inhabit dense native forest habitat in ravines.
Chersadaula ochrogastra is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
Schiffermuelleria orthophanes is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.
Stathmopoda campylocha is a species of moth in the family Stathmopodidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.
Pyrgotis transfixa is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Thambotricha is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Epermeniidae. Its sole known species, Thambotricha vates, is also known by the vernacular name wonder-haired prophet. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Pseudocoremia fluminea is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Not Threatened by the Department of Conservation.
Meterana grandiosa is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.
Trachypepla cyphonias is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Wellington and Taranaki. Larvae of this species have been reared from kānuka leaf litter. Adults are on the wing in December. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Tingena loxotis is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island. This species is found in gardens and are known to enter houses. Adults are on the wing in December and January. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
